Are you interested in the evolution of animal behaviour, the genetic engineering of crops or the hidden worlds of molecular and cell biology? Are you curious about how plants and animals will respond to climate change?

Our course will teach you the full scope of life: from bacteria to blue whales, from enzymes to ecosystems. For the first two years we’ll show you the broadest possible perspective in Biology before you specialise according to your interests. As you develop your practical skills you’ll become involved with research, giving you the opportunity to contribute to biological discoveries.

As well as field work around Scotland, you can undertake an inspiring 10-day field course at the Cévennes National Park in France, a UNESCO reserve of huge biodiversity and wild mountain beauty. You can also study abroad through our well-established connections with North American, Australian and European universities.

Our staff, active in international research, will ensure you have the skills and in-depth knowledge required for any of the diverse careers in biology.

Discover Uni provides official data on each university's undergraduate courses, including satisfaction scores from the National Student Survey, details of graduate jobs and salaries, and other key information for prospective students.

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner INTO University of Stirling offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.

Training is provided in laboratory and field skills across the entire scope of biology, from cell biology through physiology to ecology.

During Semesters 1-4 you’ll take core modules in Cell Biology, Physiology, Genes and Evolution, Ecology and Biodiversity. You’ll learn practical skills in Natural Sciences and Quantitative Techniques and do a field course for ecology and identification skills. Additionally, you can select from modules offered in Ecosystem, Environmental and Aquatic Sciences.

During Semesters 5 – 6 you’ll take a core module in Plant Ecology and Physiology and you’ll also take five modules from a range of options in animal and human biology.

In Semesters 7-8, our range of specialist half-modules allows you to specialise in an area of biology that particularly interests you. You’ll undertake an independent research project and study between four or six advanced modules from a range of options.

Final-year projects are a challenging yet valuable part of our degrees. In recent years, students on the Biology course have completed projects within the broad disciplines of Animal Behaviour, Plant Physiology and Ecology, Animal Ecology, Molecular Cell Biology, Parasitology, Molecular and Population Genetics. Some have been so good they were published. Projects are supervised by our staff, but may also be carried out in conjunction with an external organisation.

Modules

The module details given below are subject to change as the University regularly revises and refreshes the curriculum of our taught programmes. The modules outlined below represent those offered in 2019/20 on this course of study.

The course includes a compulsory field class in Scotland in year 2, and optional international field classes in year 4. Out in the field students learn techniques of data collection, identification, experimental design, data analysis and presentation.

One 10-day field class in ecology and animal biology takes place in the Cévennes, France, a rugged mountain landscape of exceptional natural beauty and tremendous biodiversity. The organisms that live there include over 2,300 flowering plant species, 2,000 invertebrate species and 300 vertebrate species. Notable among these are wild boar, otters, vultures, and grey wolves. The region exemplifies the deep historical connection between humans and the natural world, and is recognised as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site.

Another takes place in Gabon where the University of Stirling has a long history in the study and practice of tropical conservation biology and management.

Modules are assessed by a combination of coursework and examination completed during the semester. For many modules the marks awarded for coursework contribute 40–50 percent of the final grade but for some modules this is as high as 100 percent.

You will be liable to pay tuition fees for every year you’re in attendance, and your fees will be held level upon entry. Please note if you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for an additional fee.

Important note for EU students

The Scottish Government has confirmed that EU students enrolling in the 2019 and 2020 academic year will be entitled to free tuition fees in Scotland. EU students will retain that status for the duration of their four year degree. The future fee status of EU students enrolling in UK universities will depend on the timing and terms of the UK’s exit from the European Union. The University will make decisions on fee levels for EU students enrolling in 2021 when further guidance is available from the Scottish and UK governments, and will publicise information about fee levels and financial support available on the University website.

While students should be aware this may mean a change from the current position where EU students are treated with equivalence to Scottish students, it is also important to note that any changes would also require changes to existing UK and Scottish legislation. Current indications are that the UK would leave the EU at the earliest in 2020, so any changes would not take effect before the academic year 2020/21.

£1,820*

*This tuition fee is set by the Scottish Government, and may be subject to change.

Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland

If you’re domiciled in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, you’ll be able to apply for financial assistance, including a loan to cover the full cost of your tuition fees, from your relevant funding body.

You will be liable to pay tuition fees for every year you’re in attendance, and your fees will be held level upon entry. Please note if you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for an additional fee.

If you successfully complete Years 1-3 of your course, you will also be eligible to receive an Honours Year Scholarship valued at £9,250 to cover the tuition fee costs of your fourth and final year of study. Learn more about the Honours Year Scholarship.

There is additional funding available for students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland – please see Funding opportunities below.

£9,250

Overseas (Non-EU) Students

You will be liable to pay fees for every year you’re in attendance, and your fees will be held level upon entry. Please note if you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for an additional fee.

£14,820

You should expect to pay fees for every year you attend. Fees are subject to revision and may increase annually. Students on programmes of study of more than one year should take this into account when applying.

The University of Stirling offers undergraduate funding opportunities for students domiciled in Scotland or the EU. To find out if you’re eligible to apply for an award, use our scholarship finder.

Students domiciled in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (RUK)

The Undergraduate Choice Scholarship provides a £1,000 cash award to all students from England, Wales or Northern Ireland who meet the conditions of their offer and select the University of Stirling as their Firm or Insurance choice on UCAS.

The University also offers the Undergraduate Merit Scholarship, which is awarded to selected students and provides a £1,000 cash award per year for years 1-3 of study. To be considered for the Merit Scholarship, students require a minimum of AAB at A-level or equivalent.

In addition, students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland who enter in year 1 and progress successfully through years 2 and 3 will receive our Honours Year Scholarship, which covers the cost of undergraduate tuition fees in the Honours year of study.

You don’t need to apply for the awards listed above - we'll automatically identify your eligibility as part of the admissions process.

To explore other scholarships and learn more about funding opportunities, use our scholarship finder.

Students domiciled overseas

The University of Stirling offers generous undergraduate funding opportunities for overseas students. To find out if you're eligible to apply for an award, use our scholarship finder.

There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.

We subsidise costs for fieldtrips but you’ll be required to make a financial contribution towards your travel, accommodation and subsistence for all residential fieldtrips. You’ll also need to pay for any optional overseas field classes in Years 3 or 4.

If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.

EU and overseas students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.

About one third of our recent Biology graduates have continued their studies to obtain a further qualification, such as an MSc or PhD.

The University of Stirling consistently earns five QS Stars for employability, with more than 97% of our students in employment or further education within six months of graduating. (HESA DLHE 2016/17)

Studying Biology at the University of Stirling has been one of the best decisions I have made.

The University of Stirling has links with conservation organisations which allowed me to volunteer and gain fieldwork skills I otherwise would not have. I worked with Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) to monitor hen harrier populations at Flanders Moss just outside of Stirling.

Flexible study

Are you interested in more than one of our courses? You might not have to choose between them. Here at Stirling, we believe in choice and offer more than 220 course combinations. Watch our short video to find out how it all works!